11 | Martin Freeman (Sherlock)

10 | Simon Pegg (Star Trek films)

9 | Russell Tovey (Being Human, Him & Her)

8 | Idris Elba (Luther)

*No one actress received more mentions than the #20 male, and several readers simply seconded the idea of "a female" in the role. We felt it very important to include this idea, so all "female Doctor" votes were aggregated as one.

6 | Richard Ayoade (The IT Crowd)

5 | Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock, Star Trek Into Darkness)

4 | Ben Whishaw (Skyfall, The Hour)

3 | Colin Morgan (Merlin)

2 | Hugh Laurie (House)

1 | Rupert Grint (Harry Potter films)

20 | Nicholas Hoult (Skins, X-Men: First Class)

19 | Chiwetel Ejiofor (Children of Men)

18 | Robert Sheehan (Love/Hate, Misfits)

17 | Richard Coyle (Coupling, Covert Affairs)

16 | Damien Molony (Being Human)

15 | Damian Lewis (Homeland)

14 | Anthony Head (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

13 | Tom Hiddleston (The Avengers)

12 | Jack Davenport (FlashForward)

11 | Martin Freeman (Sherlock)

10 | Simon Pegg (Star Trek films)

9 | Russell Tovey (Being Human, Him & Her)

8 | Idris Elba (Luther)

*No one actress received more mentions than the #20 male, and several readers simply seconded the idea of "a female" in the role. We felt it very important to include this idea, so all "female Doctor" votes were aggregated as one.